Frank k



7 (No Model.)

P. K. HESSE.

,TOE CLIP.

No. 552,086. Patented Dec. 24, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK K. HESSE, OF BOSTON, 'MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO OODMAN & SHURTLEFF, OF SAME PLACE.

TOE-CLIP.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 552,086, dated December 24, 1895.

I Application filed February 25,1895. Serialll'o. 539,531. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK K. IIESSE, of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Toe-Clips, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings,is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to provide an improved toe-clip for the pedals of bicycles and the like.

Toe-clips should be as light as possible, and also possess considerable strength or rigidity in order that they may not be easily bent, and also in order that they may be used to a greater or less extent in applying power during the upstroke of the pedal. It is also desirable that the toe-clip be curved at the toe-bend to admit the rounded end of the shoe, to thereby form a sort of pocket to restrain the shoe against lateral displacement. These desirable features I have attained in my improved toe-clip embodying this invention, and which will be hereinafter described, and shown in the drawings.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of the preferred form of clip embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a perspective detail looking at the under side of the shank portion of the clip adjacent the clamping-bend; Fig. 3, a cross-sectional detail on the dotted line a: m, Fig. 1; and Fig. 4, a horizontal section through the middle of the toe-bend, looking down.

The toe-clip selected for illustration and shown in the drawings is formed from sheet metal, preferably steel, and consists essentially of a shank-portion a, a toe or hook portion I), and a clamping end 0.

The clamping end 0, as is customary in toeclips, is bent at a, into position substantially at right angles to the shank a, and is slotted at a, to receive the fastening-bolt, the slot admitting of vertical adjustment.

To strengthen the clip at the shank-bend a, I have struck up the metal from the under side, so as to curve the same in cross-section at or adjacent the bend, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a shank or bend curved in cross-section possessing much greater strength than the usual flat shank and straight bend.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 4, the width of the clip between its outside lines at the toe-bend a is greatly increased over the width of the shank and hook portions, and to lighten the hook I have in the present instance of my invention removed a considerable portion of the metal at the middle of the bend, as at a so that, notwithstanding the increased width of the clip at the toe-bend, it is practically as light as the usual narrow toe-clip. The removal of so large a portion of metal at the toe -bend would, however, ordinarily weaken the clip at that point, and to prevent this and strengthen the clip to compensate for the removal of so much metal I have curved the bend in a horizontal section by setting forward the middle portion, as shown, such setting forward of the middle portion in the construction illustrated leaving the connecting portions, which constitute the toebend, standing in angular positions, and preferably slightly curved to more or less conform to the curve or rounded toe of a shoe, the latter being represented in dotted lines, Fig. 4:.

By setting forward the middle portion of the toe-bend, as described, I not only increase the rigidity of the bend, but at the same time is formed a sort of pocket for the reception of the toe of the shoe, and which acts to prevent lateral displacement of the toe from the clip.

I claim The described sheet metal toe-clip, having a central shank portion adapted at one end to be secured to the pedal and at its opposite end bent or curved upwardly and over to form a central top or lift portion to overhang the shoe, said clip at its said bend and between its central shank and lift portions being bifurcated and its members thus formed separated and turned into angular positions relatively to said central fportions and approximating the curvature of the toe of a shoe to thereby strengthen or stiffen the clip at its said bend, and at the same time present an open front toe receiving pocket, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK K. HESSE. \Vitnesses:

FREDERICK L. EMERY, EMMA J. BENNET. 

